laboring with an efficiency and zeal induced by their attachment to the Society and pride in its prosperity and usefulness.

The number of entries in the several classes was as follows:

The cattle show, though smaller than usual in numbers, was of remarkable excellence, the Devons making a larger show than for some years past, and the Jerseys coming out in increasing numbers. Of horses there was a capital show, especially of stallions and young stock.

The entry of sheep and swine was smaller than usual. Some of the best flocks of long-wooled sheep were unrepresented on account of the change in the time of shearing not being known in season, but the quality of the sheep on exhibition was fully up to the standard.

The show of poultry was most interesting, not only from their numbers, but from the general excellence of the birds, and the number of fine specimens of new and rare breeds.

The immense show of implements and machinery was most gratifying and encouraging. There was a large number of successful or promising new inventions, and a very general and marked improvement in those before exhibited. It is doubtful whether the farmer is under greater obligations to the manufacturer than the manufacturer to the farmer. In bringing together the makers and inventors and the users of agricultural machines, our State fair performs one of its most useful functions. The exhibition of farm produce was an exceedingly creditable one; and, on reference to the reports of the judges, it will be found that they were obliged to recommend the award of several extra premiums, which were confirmed by the Executive Committee with much pleasure, particularly as regarded the award of the Society's medal to Dr. Hexamer, for Reisig & Hexamer, for their large and instructive exhibition of 150 named varieties of potatoes. It is to be regretted that the liberal premiums for wheat offered by Mr. Orange Judd, of New York, did not call out a larger competi

tion; and the Society was also greatly disappointed at the non-arrival of the large collection of seed wheats, of kinds some of which are new and rare in this country, and other seed grains entered by George A. Deitz, of Chambersburg, Pa., the well known and intelligent propagator of improved varieties of grain, whose shipment, made in ample time, was unaccountably delayed in transit.

The ladies well sustained their department of the show with specimens of handiwork, generally combining usefulness and elegance.

The display in Floral Hall attracted great attention owing to the uncommon degree of perfection of the specimens of fruits and flowers, which were arranged with more than usual taste and skill by the able superintendent of this department.

The police arrangements of the Society, under Col. H. Bowen, were more than commonly efficient. Every year proves the wisdom of the policy of retaining tried and trusty men on the Society's police roll, even though they have to be brought from considerable distances. Col. Bowen was also aided by a detail of special officers furnished by the superintendents of the Metropolitan, Capital, and Frontier police, and the Executive Committee tender their thanks to those gentlemen for the assistance thus rendered.

The Executive Committee, by vote, also returned special thanks to James Vick, Esq., of Rochester, for his able management of the Department of Fruit and Flowers, and for the tasteful decoration of Floral Hall, entirely his own design, and executed, in great part, at his own expense; to A. J. Wilkin, Esq.. of Rochester, for legal advice and services kindly rendered without fee, on the ground that he considered the Society's service a public service; and to Messrs. Bromley & Co., the proprietors of the Osburn House, for the excellent accommodation provided for the officers and for their assiduous attention to their comfort.

The evening discussion on Tuesday evening on wheat, was opened by Joseph Harris, Esq., of Moreton Farm, Rochester, with a most sensible and practical paper, and was continued by other gentlemen. to good effect. The discussion on Wednesday evening on clover was animated, and undoubtedly a useful one. The discussion on the winter feeding of sheep, proposed for Thursday evening, for which Mr. Jurian Winne, of Albany, had prepared a paper, was unfortunately prevented by the noise of a political demonstration on that evening, and the subject was postponed to the winter meeting.

The city authorities of Rochester, with their usual kindness, gave

the use of their large and commodious room in the City Hall for the evening meetings.

In closing this brief and inadequate notice, it seems proper to allude to a change of system, partially inaugurated this year, viz: The closing the entry books some time in advance of the opening of the fair. This was at first intended to apply to all the entries, but serious misgivings being entertained as to its practical working, it was restricted to the classes of live stock and fixed machinery. While the great and continuous expansion of the exhibition, for several years past, seemed to make the general application of the rule imperatively necessary, in order to secure ample accommodation for all entries; in order to be able to arrange the exhibition properly; in order to be able to furnish the judges promptly with their lists, and to have those lists properly classified and arranged; in order to get the awards out in time for the public to know what animals and articles were adjudged worthy of premiums, and for exhibitors to receive the full benefit of the awards; and to secure the due notice and examination of every entry; it was nevertheless doubted by many of the most experienced men in the Society, whether the public would accept and be satisfied with the proposed change, and many were of opinion that the exhibitions had become already as large as they ever could be. The announcement of the partial change was, however, received with favor and approval by some of those out of the Society, best qualified to give opinions on the subject, and exhibitors cheerfully conformed to the new regulation. The experience of the present year goes plainly to show, not only that the fairs of the Society continue to increase in extent and interest, but that the closing of the entries in advance is no inconvenience, while it produces great benefit to the exhibitors; and the conclusion forces itself upon us, that the plan has more than all the advantages claimed for it, presents no practical objections, and is proper and necessary to be extended to all the classes of the exhibition.

B. P. JOHNSON,
Secretary.

NEW AMERICAN GRAPES.

BY S. J. PARKER, M. D., ITHACA, N. Y.

In the 1865 report of the New York State Agricultural Society, I made quite extensive remarks on training of grapes, and am happy to say that they have drawn to me very flattering comment and correspondence; as has this series of articles published in these reports and those of the department of agriculture. And they cover very much of the ground and most of the facts known on the effort made to subjugate the Native American germs of grapes to the laws of cultivation. And considering how wild, and so to speak, how very set in their ways they were-for the force of ages of self-rule is not easily broken-we may commend our grape cultivators that they attempted so grand a change as this involved, and with results so praiseworthy, at so early a date. It is true we have yet no large in bunch and berry American grape, that can compare with the Muscat Hamburg, which is a grape larger in these respects than the old Black Hamburg, and as hardy, prolific and vastly superior in flavor to the parent Black Hamburg; so much so that it will eventually replace greatly the old favorite under glass. Nor have we in size any edible grape that in the least compares with the Golden Champion grape, which, for size and excellence, is said to be the best of all foreign grapes. But we have several that are worthy of general cultivation, and whose excellences are becoming more and more known. That they will be eventually excluded by better grapes that will be originated, is also certain; for the reader who but to-day commences can but feebly estimate the advance made. Some have been disposed to ridicule the fact that the United States officials distributed such grapes as Franklin, To-Kalon, Canby's August, Telegraph, and scores of others. But the fact that it is only about ten years since whether we had tartaric acid or a mongrel acid in our grapes was decided, and that the amelioration of our flavors and wildness was generally attempted, shows us that the distribution even of undesirable sorts was not in vain. Probably there are a dozen or two American grape growers, who are familiar with at least one hundred, and it

may be over that number, of varieties; and though we have but a small number of them now on our lists, yet the labor of proving them places their names among those to be honored when the hereafter history of this vast national enterprise shall be written.

Without further remark let me record what I consider the state of our experience with a few kinds worthy of general cultivation, or at least planting largely for remunerative value in those regions where they will grow; and, lest I seem invidious in their order, I will name them as nearly alphabetically as can be.

ADIRONDAC.

Perhaps but few grapes have had warmer friends, and been more abused than this; been more widely advertised, and stood so diversely in the opinion of good judges. Neglecting all partizan contests, I apprehend that the degree of public favor has been less than it really deserves. It is evident that a few, imitating the reckless style of others reputed to be making money largely, have claimed for it a ready growth, and advantages that it has not. On the other hand, three certainly has been shown a bitterness that disinterested parties would not use in its condemnation. I am inclined, from what I have tried and observed of it, to say that it is with greater than ordinary difficulty established in its growth, either inherently, or in consequence of temporary damage to its constitution by excessive propagation. Indeed, I have never, under my control, been able to get a bearing vine of it; all have failed to grow, or, if alive, grow so feebly that they are yet in their infantile weakness; and I believe my experience with it is too often that of others. Yet it is also evident that hundreds of others, more successful than I have been, have had vines readily grow, come into fair bearing in a reasonable time, and that with no unusual difficulties. Of the grape itself, no disinterested man can condemn either the bunch, or berry, or its flavor. There is a spicy pleasantness in its tender sweetness, that, once tasted, will be sought again; and in size of bunch it is large enough, yet not the largest, with its fairly clustered berries. It is massive, weighty, tender, delicious when well ripened, and early. It is well worthy the largest vineyard planting, in the hands of those who succeed with it, and must be more popular as time introduces it. Though for years I have had vines under my observation, on my own lands, yet not having had a favorable growth, or fruitage, I cannot describe it as accurately or decisively as I would like to; but in other locali